Shiela Rabe is a former RN with an interest in creative arts such as writing, quilting, craft sewing and water color painting. She is an avid observer of birds and has been an animal rescuer with the Uffda Fund for Animals, a non-profit 501 (c) 3
...

Shiela Rabe is a former RN with an interest in creative arts such as writing, quilting, craft sewing and water color painting. She is an avid observer of birds and has been an animal rescuer with the Uffda Fund for Animals, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation since it began in 2008. Shiela and her husband Bruce have lived in Cando for 13 years and have a family of rescued collies and kitties.

It always seems to be on a weekend when the phone rings and at the other end is a person asking Uffda to help with a cat or dog. Perhaps it is a stray cat which has wandered on to someone's yard, meowing pitifully at the door; or maybe the caller just wants to give away a cat or dog they cannot keep. I've heard many sad stories about the puppy which has bitten the resident child, chewed the carpet, pooped on the floor - the variations are infinite.
This morning someone called me on behalf of a friend who has to give up his cat because he is moving to another job in another state - tomorrow. Now, surely this move did not just come up yesterday. So why has he not looked after finding a home for his beloved cat instead of foisting responsibility onto somone else? I know many responsible pet owners who have taken their pets along while relocating. And if it is simply unfeasible to keep Fido or Tiger. then you do whatever you can to find another home so you're not faced with literally dumping them as you head for the hills. The Uffda Fund is not an animal shelter or humane society. There is no place to warehouse every unwanted cat and dog. We try to find foster homes, spay, neuter and provide preventive care while attempting to attract potential adopters. Sometimes we must say "No, we cannot take Fido or Tiger off your hands."